Detroit Arsenal Family Represents at National Competition

By Mr. Steve Ball (IMCOM)January 29, 2014

Brodsky Family
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
The Brodsky family
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

A family from the Detroit Arsenal was recently selected as a top five finalist for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America's Triple Play Family Fit Challenge in Venice Beach, Calif. Jan. 10-12.

After competing in a six-week challenge, the Brodsky family which includes mom Teresa, Child, Youth and School Services, director, dad Patrick, from TARDEC, and their children Max, Keira, Dexter and Tyson and their foreign exchange student David was selected as one of the top five families for an all-expense paid trip and represented the installation at the nationwide competition. The Triple Play program encourages young people and families to focus on making better food choices (MIND), increasing physical activity (BODY) and spending more quality time together as a family (SOUL).

"The Brodsky family really did a great job during the competition in all categories," said Tanya Blatz, youth sports and fitness director. "The skit was well thought out and you could tell the kids and whole family practiced. Detroit Arsenal was well represented on the national stage."

Although they didn't win the competition the Brodsky's represented the installation well. The Reed family from Keesler Air Force Base Youth Center in Biloxi, Miss. emerged victorious.

"We are extremely proud of the dedication that the families put into the 4th Annual Triple Play Fit Family Challenge," said Wayne B. Moss, BGCA's Senior Director of Healthy Lifestyles, Program, Training & Youth Development Services. "Boys & Girls Clubs of America believes living a healthy active lifestyle is critical to the overall wellbeing of today's youth -- empowering our families with a pathway to a great future."

The Triple Play Fit Family Challenge is a national competition that incorporates the principles of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Triple Play program into family lives. More than 200 families entered the Fit Family Challenge when it launched in October 2013 and as the nation prepared for the holiday season's indulgences, BGCA families spent six weeks learning and practicing healthy eating habits (MIND), were physically active (BODY) and spent quality time with each other (SOUL). Challenge activities included trying new fruits and vegetables and eating smaller portions; incorporating fun and unique physical fitness activities into their daily routines; and participating more family-centered activities.

"The Fit Family Challenge takes physical activity and nutrition education - the most important, teachable components of health and wellness -- and puts them in a fun, family program," said Jim Lactaoen, Vice President, West Region Sales, Coca-Cola North America. "Our work with this program helps to empower the families to be wellness leaders and in turn creates healthier, more sustainable communities."

The finalists were selected based on their involvement and efforts to make true healthy lifestyle adjustments during Phase 1 and 2 of the Challenge. The Top 5 families were coached by two well-known health advocates. Jackie Joyner-Kersee, as the "body" coach and overall spokesperson for the challenge and Dr. Val Jones, CEO of Better Health, LLC, a medical blogger network and education company, served as the "mind" coach served as great assets for each of the families throughout the challenge and were able to bring great insight from a health & wellness perspective. The other finalist families included: The Blair family from the McConnell Air Force Base Boys & Girls Club; The Livingston-Johnson family from the Boys & Girls Clubs of NW Georgia, and the Wells family from the Boys & Girls Club of the Central Savannah River Area.

"The five families that took part in this competition are truly an inspiration," said Lance Chrisman, WellPoint Foundation executive director. "By combining healthy physical activities and nutrition with family time, they demonstrated that being healthy can not only be fun, but can also produce great memories that last a lifetime. WellPoint Foundation is proud to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of America because they share our commitment to improving health and strengthening our local communities."